Thursday, August 29, 2013

Dry Eyes Dubai

Dry eyes are a result of inadequate tears to moisturize the eyes and protect them from dust and foreign particles. There are many reasons for inadequate tears, this could be because your tears are thick in consistency or is insufficient. Most people blink every few seconds and this helps wash away dust and moisturizes the area. Dry eyes symptoms are itchiness, redness, soreness when closing, and opening the eyelids and individuals who suffer from dry eyes have a constant need to rub them to remove foreign particles.

Dry eyes cause constant irritation and a stinging burn in the eyes. Most people experience dry eyes while in airplanes, riding a bike or cycling, or by being in an air-conditioned room for long durations, where the tears in your eyes dry off due to friction or cold air. Situational dry eyes are temporary and last only as long as your eyes are subject to those conditions. Most people wear protective eyewear to prevent the onset of dry eyes in these situations. Eye drops that act as false tears helps reduce the irritation caused due to cold air, riding a bike, and air travel. However, if your eyes feel dry for most parts of the day, depending on the cause of the symptoms, your doctor will suggest the appropriate treatment. Your ophthalmologist will first ask you to make lifestyle and diet changes along with prescribed eye drops and medication. If these treatment options do not resolve or reduce the symptoms, surgery may be considered for severe cases.

Symptoms of dryness in both eyes:
  • Burning or stinging sensation in both eyes, which cause you to rub them often
  • Tears are of a thick consistency, causing itchiness
  • Harsh wind speeds cause severe stinging and burning especially while riding a bicycle or motorbike without protective eye gear
  • Constant need to wash eyes due to fatigue and redness
  • Light sensitivity
  • Dried up tears and mucus blobs found on the surface of the eye
  • Unable to wear contact lenses
  • Excessive tearing caused by irritation
  • Vision becomes blurred and distorted
You will need to visit your Dubai eye doctor, when these symptoms prolong for long durations causing difficulty in your normal routines.

Dry eyes are a result of two main reasons: Inadequate production of tears to lubricate the eyelid while it blinks or the wrong tear composition. Tears are made up fatty oils, water, and mucus, which combine perfectly to keep your eyes clean and smooth. If the ratios of the compositions are not balanced, a person may suffer from dry eyes. External factors like the environment, medication, and eye surgery also cause symptoms of dry eyes.

If left untreated, dry eyes may cause mild or severe infection and swelling of the eyelids. Scars and redness may become permanent and you may suffer visual difficulties later on in life.

Should you experience dry eyes for prolonged periods, make an appointment with Ebsaar Eye Surgery Center and have your dry eyes treated medically. Your ophthalmologist will need a lifestyle medical history to determine the exact cause of your eye and it may help to have the following listed down before your appointment with our Dubai eye doctors.
  • List of medications taken within the last month
  • Types of food enjoyed daily and specially anything you may have had that is not normally included in your diet.
  • Lifestyle changes – This might be an insignificant change
Once you have these listed down, it will be easier for your doctor to establish the cause of your dry eye and prescribe an appropriate treatment plan for the symptoms.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Conjunctivitis Dubai

A common problem with the eyes is an infection or inflammation of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is a thin transparent covering on the inside surface of the eyelid. Conjunctivitis is common amongst many individuals and is usually seen as a pinkish effect around the eyelids and can spread to many individuals in the same vicinity. Conjunctivitis is common in schools and offices, where individuals remain in closed spaces for long durations.

Conjunctivitis is not a serious, however if left untreated develops into serious visual problems. Conjunctivitis is a bacterial, viral, or chemical infection that affects the eye, either airborne or caused through chemical pollutants in the air. Bad eye makeup with chemical irritants is also sometimes responsible for conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis is sometimes a symptom of sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea and Chlamydia. Always consult your Dubai Eye Doctor for any type of eye infection to ensure your eyes are safe from danger.  

Symptoms of Conjunctivitis
  • Itchy warm sensation in one or both eyes
  • Swelling on the eyelids
  • White discharge from one or both eyes with excessive tearing
  • Redness in the infected eye
  • Irritability to light
What are the causes of conjunctivitis?

There are a few reasons that could cause conjunctivitis in the eye. This could be due to seasonal allergies, infectious or chemically induced redness in the eye.

Conjunctivitis caused by Allergies

Conjunctivitis brought on by allergies is common among people living near farms and fields where the air contains dust and pores. Giant papillary conjunctivitis is another form of allergic conjunctivitis in which a large particle finds its way into the eye causing irritability and redness. This happens mainly to people who touch or rub their eyes often or wear contact lenses for a long time.

Conjunctivitis caused by infections

There are three types of infectious conjunctivitis:

Bacterial conjunctivitis caused by two types of bacteria streptococcal and staphylococcal. These two types of bacteria are found on the skin and respiratory systems of humans. It is therefore, easily transmitted through physical contact or air. Infectious conjunctivitis easily spreads among individuals in closed spaces or when in contact with an already infected person. You can be infected with Bacterial conjunctivitis by using contaminated make-up and eyewear.

Viral Conjunctivitis is associated with the common cold and could be a symptom of the flu. Viral infections of the lungs contaminates your respiratory tract, nose and eventually the connected tear ducts and throat. Viral conjunctivitis is a airborne disease as well.

Ophthalmia Neonatorum is a bacterial conjunctivitis that affects newborn babies. Newborns are at risk of contracting a bacterial infection when passing through a birth canal affected by Gonorrhea and Chlamydia. This type of infection is immediately treated to prevent serious visual problems in the future.

Chemical Conjunctivitis

Chemical Conjunctivitis is caused by chemical pollutants in the air, a type of redness and swelling can occur in the eye. High concentrations of chlorine, or chemical sprays like hair sprays and insect spray can seriously harm your eyes.  

How is conjunctivitis treated?

Each strain of conjunctivitis is treated differently and your doctor at Ebsaar Eye Surgery Center – vision correction solutions will examine the cause of your conjunctivitis before administering the right course of medication.
  • Allergic conjunctivitis – Conjunctivitis caused be allergies is better prevented, as it is best to avoid the irritant or wear protective glasses during seasonal changes. Cool compresses will bring the swelling down. Artificial teardrops will relieve mild discomfort. For severe cases, antihistamine or anti-inflammatory medication, is prescribed by your eye doctor in Dubai. Steroid eye drops is prescribed, for severe persistent cases.
  • Bacterial conjunctivitis – Antibiotic eye drops are available to treat bacterial infections and will generally take a few days to show results when the course is completed.
  • Viral Conjunctivitis – viral infections will need to run its course as antibiotic drops or ointment does not cure this type of conjunctivitis. Symptoms may be reduced with the use of cool compresses, and tear drops. For severe pain or inflammation, a steroid eye drop will be prescribed. Some doctors treat eye infections with an iodine eyewash; the effectiveness of which is still not known.
  • Chemical Conjunctivitis – When your eyes come in contact with chemicals, it is important to flush it out completely with cold water for many minutes. If the problem persists or severe pain is felt, visit an emergency room for immediate treatment. If left untreated, chemical conjunctivitis may cause partial or complete blindness. Visit an eye clinic Dubai to ensure that an ophthalmologist can look at it to prevent future visual problems.